Disability Support Pension Appealing
Hi I was diagnosed with triple negative grade 3 stage 2 cancer 2 days before christmas 2020. I have a back injury and have been on the public waiting list for surgery as well as mental health issues. ...
Forum Discussion
Sorry to hear of your struggle with your Disability Support Pension claim. Services Australia (Centrelink) are not there to help you unfortunately, as they will not give you the advise you need. Firstly, you need to ring them up and ask for a review, this is done by the ARO (Authorised Review Officer) and you have to make sure you contact them and ask for the review. The timeframe is 4 weeks to act on asking for a review. Once this is done, and if they don't find any discrepancy from what the JCA assessed and you are still not happy with the result you can take it to AAT, first Level 1, then Level 2.
You can put in any additional medical reports within the 13 weeks period if it is relevant at the time you first put in your application for a DSP. Also you mentioned that you are on a waiting list for back surgery, unfortunately Centrelink expect that your health conditions are Fully Diagnosed Treated and Stabilised (FDTS), and that would be one reason they perhaps will not allocate any points on the Spinal Table. It really stinks, doesn't it?
Also with the mental health issues, a report from a Clinical psychologist is needed or from a psychiatrist. Centrelink will not allocate any points under Table 5 unless you have the report from a CLINICAL psychologist or a psychiatrist, a counsellor or just any counselling psychologist will not suffice.
They will not tell you that you need to do a POS (Program of Support) for 18 months BEFORE you apply and be exited from the program. The program is essentially to help you get back into work, but if you get 20 points under one Table then you do not need to do the POS.
As @AllyJay says, a Social Worker may be able to assist you. Also I suggest you do not give up on receiving a Disability Pension, as this will really assist you to get the allied health care that would benefit you, afterall that is really why we need a disability pension.
If you have difficulty with public transport you may be eligible for a mobility allowance, that is independent of whether you receive a DSP or are on Jobseeker allowance.
Best wishes with the appeal.
.
You can put in any additional medical reports within the 13 weeks period if it is relevant at the time you first put in your application for a DSP. Also you mentioned that you are on a waiting list for back surgery, unfortunately Centrelink expect that your health conditions are Fully Diagnosed Treated and Stabilised (FDTS), and that would be one reason they perhaps will not allocate any points on the Spinal Table. It really stinks, doesn't it?
Also with the mental health issues, a report from a Clinical psychologist is needed or from a psychiatrist. Centrelink will not allocate any points under Table 5 unless you have the report from a CLINICAL psychologist or a psychiatrist, a counsellor or just any counselling psychologist will not suffice.
They will not tell you that you need to do a POS (Program of Support) for 18 months BEFORE you apply and be exited from the program. The program is essentially to help you get back into work, but if you get 20 points under one Table then you do not need to do the POS.
As @AllyJay says, a Social Worker may be able to assist you. Also I suggest you do not give up on receiving a Disability Pension, as this will really assist you to get the allied health care that would benefit you, afterall that is really why we need a disability pension.
If you have difficulty with public transport you may be eligible for a mobility allowance, that is independent of whether you receive a DSP or are on Jobseeker allowance.
Best wishes with the appeal.
.